UAE asks Qatar to commit to rules of security, stability of Gulf

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, highlighted a series of steps that Doha should take

The UAE on Wednesday renewed its call on Qatar to commit to the rules of security and stability of the Gulf, and stop promoting extremism and terrorism in the region. The UAE also underlined that the crisis had reached a dead-end and Doha must change its course.

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, highlighted a series of steps that Doha should take in order to repair its relations by stopping its support to extremism and terrorism. He also stressed the need for a clear political involvement that reflects a change in Qatari policies.

He demanded that Doha must deal with individuals on whom the US and the UN had imposed sanctions and who were currently living in Qatar. Some of them were involved in funding Al Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood and leaders from Hamas. Doha should also stop using media in promoting extremist agenda, he added.

Meanwhile, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa held Qatar responsible for the failure of Kuwaiti efforts to solve the crisis between Doha and other GCC states, pointing out that the success of the efforts led by the Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah depend on the Qatari leadership.

Talking to Al Sharq Al Awsat daily on Thursday, he said: "I hold Qatar accountable for unsuccessful efforts, and I also hold them responsible as they did not give Sheikh Sabah an opportunity to bring all the parties concerned on negotiating table".

Al Khalifa stressed that Bahrain was the hardest hit from the Qatari approach. "Bahrain had suffered from Qatari conspiracies against it, when it supported saboteurs and hostile organisations which target Bahrain, along with its media campaigns to tarnish the name and image of Bahrain," he noted.

He said conditions for restoring relations with Doha are clear: Qatar should correct its policies, the course it has taken, and stay away from Iran, GCC's number one enemy, which plotted against the GCC member states to control them.

On the outcome of the meeting between Bahrain and Saudi rulers, which was held on Wednesday, he confirmed that "there was a full agreement on joint coordination and one stand".

Al Khalifa recounted the mistakes Qatar had made against Bahrain and said: "Since 20 or 21 years ago there has been a big prejudice against Bahrain. Even in 2011, Qatar backed those who fomented riots in the kingdom.

"They were speaking for saboteurs in Bahrain, defending them - needless to say Al Jazeera TV channel showed Bahrain and Bahraini people in a bad image.

"Qatar supported the international organisations which take human rights issue as a profession, extending support to them to focus on the Kingdom of Bahrain," he said, adding this was what Bahrain had suffered as well as interference of Qatar in so many other matters.

Meanwhile, Libyan army spokesman Colonel Ahmed Al Mismari revealed documents that proved interference of Qatar in Libya. He said there was a possibility of filing a case with the International Criminal Court against Qatar regarding its role in the assassination of a number of Libyan figures.

Addressing a press conference in Benghazi, Colonel Al Mismari said Qatar had destroyed the Arab region. "The role of Qatar in Libya will come to an end soon," he optimistically said, adding Hamas is also involved in violence in Libya.

The Libyan ambassador in Riyadh said on Monday that the speaker of the House of Representatives Aqila Saleh had announced severing ties with Qatar and recalling the Libyan ambassador from Doha.

The East Libya government had earlier announced severing of ties with Qatar due to its dismal record in the country following the revolution which ousted Muammar Gaddafi. - Mustafa Al Zarooni

• Qatar Crisis
• Abu Dhabi
• MENA

Mustafa Al Zarooni

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com